UEFA order Lyon to play Champions League game behind closed doors

Lyon will have to play their first Champions League group-stage game at the Groupama Stadium behind closed doors. Tony McArdle/Everton via Getty Images

UEFA has ordered Lyon to play their first Champions League group-stage home game in an empty stadium as punishment for the crowd disorder and racism that marred their run in the Europa League last season.

The organisation said it deferred a second stadium closure for a two-year probationary period and fined the club €100,000.

Lyon will find out their Champions League opponents when the draw is made on Thursday in Monaco.

They faced even tougher sanctions following persistent crowd trouble in the Europa League in 2016-17.

The latest UEFA disciplinary case came after the second leg of the Europa League round of 16 tie against CSKA Moscow in March.

Lyon lost 3-2, were eliminated on away goals and missed the chance to feature in the final at their home ground.